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Since 2002, BrandCouponNetwork (BCN) has identifying marketing niches and developing technology for the burgeoning online print-controlled coupon (PCC) industry. Originally based in New Orleans, Louisiana, BCN was literally washed out and relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where it now based. BCN has been instrumental in shaping the print-controlled coupon arena, with its innovations in design and identification provided on each coupon printed. Additionally, BCN was the innovative force behind indigenous household IDs, enabling “per redemption” pricing and handling. BCN’s founder, Dan Abraham, has been on the Board of Directors of the ACP, Association of Coupon Professionals, for 3 years and was a co-author of its Guideline to Internet Coupons, with representatives from Kelloggs and Kimberly Clark.

BCN has indentified and now concentrates on a specific cause-loyalty niche online. Schools and non-profits are to be the hardest initially hit by our declining economy. BCN has developed a program called Coupons for HOPE. It’s first programs will be www.moreforSchools.com and www.couponsforMiracles.com to help schools and the Children’s Miracle Network.

These promise to revolutionize fundraising for schools as well as marketing and consumer promotions for brands and retailers. BCN continues to innovate and proliferate online couponing like no other… BCN also has a complete line of programs for media groups and agencies as well.
For more information on programs under Coupons for HOPE please contact BCN - 877-7COUPON or email dan@brandcouponnetwork.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Brand Coupon Network (BCN)?
What does BCN provide to Online Consumers?
What does BCN provide to Content Vendors and Virtual Publishers?
What does BCN's online storefront provide to Brands?
How is BCN different from other online coupon services?
What about fraud ? Consumer counterfeiting? Retailer misredemption?
Is the consumer data shared with CPGs for customer acquisition strategies?
How does BCN pricing compare to a printed FSI?
If coupon redemption averages 15% or more, can we remove our offer if we reach our target?
If we segment markets, can we also change cents-off values of coupons for different markets?
Can we submit recipes as editorial and build links to our brand websites?
How do brands set up an online department and begin to provide offers?
What about exclusivity?
What type of promotional tools are available on your sites?
How does BCN distribute its content to its consumers?

Who is Brand Coupon Network (BCN)?

BCN is a consumer-centric vertical solution to print-controlled coupons  - online FSIs- which delivers brand promotions and incentives through a variety of online savings channels (Web sites). The result of over 100 focus groups and in development for the last 5 years, BCN's online storefront approach provides for the needs of Consumers, Brands, Content Vendors, Retailers and Advertisers.

What does BCN provide to Online Consumers?

• Designated coupon portals with a more conventional shopping experience.
  E-couponers can enter a Zip Code to shop our offers. They can select an offer and then CHECK OUT. Free Coupons
  

• Coupons available on a 24/7 basis
  

• Coupons bar coded and printable on the web shoppers computer

Surveys indicate that invasive and tedious initial Web enrollment aggravates consumers, especially if there is limited or valueless content. BCN believes that a positive introduction to a member is more important that initial demographics. BCN provides consumers a more user-friendly, one-stop shopping approach not offered by other online coupon approaches, which encourages recurring visits.

What does BCN's online storefront provide to Brands?

• Proprietary access to their own display department
• Secure coupon delivery
• Real time tracking and control
• Complete editorial input and control
• Online advertising with links to Brand websites
• Automatic rebate functions
• Online Consumer Relationship Marketing Surveys
• Demographic and psychographic consumer information.

And for CPGs, BCN provides a pay-per-redemption (PPR^©) method, which is revolutionary. Brands only pay for product moved with redeemed coupons.

No sale?  No risk.  No cost.  No kidding.

What does BCN provide Content Vendors and Virtual Publishers?

Conventional (print) FSIs are a major revenue stream for print publishers. Online FSIs represent tremendous revenue potential and help establish value so that virtual publishers can establish subscription and increase their Classified and Display revenue streams. Co-branding with a significant revenue share approach.

• Easily implemented software solution
• Value-added tie-in sales opportunities
• Pay-per-Redemption (PPR^©) and Coupon CashBack^© programs assure brand participation driving variety, value and traffic.

How is BCN different from other online coupon services?

BCN provides a consumer-centric approach. We do not require any invasive info prior to shopping - just a zip code.

BCN's pay-per-redemption (PPR^©) for CPGs, provides an innovative and affordable solution to costly coupon distribution.

BCN's online storefront approach allows brands the ability to control their own offers and displays with real time trackability and reporting.

BCN's $AVEMORE^© automatic coupon upgrade/ CRM program allows consumer loyalty to be developed and rewarded by increasing coupon values automatically online.

BCN's $AVEMORE^©: automatic coupon upgrade/ CRM program allows consumer loyalty to be developed and rewarded by increasing coupon values automatically online.

BCN is much vastly different from its competitors. The greatest difference lies in BCN's ability to identify what its market desires and to respond quickly and effectively.

What about Fraud ? Consumer counterfeiting? Retailer misredemption?

This is the most complex question involving web coupons. The reality is that anything of value, which is printed, can be counterfeited. Just ask the US Treasury about their issues. But it doesn't stop the Treasury from issuing billions of dollars of currency annually. They merely implement controls to assist in deterring or identifying perpetrators.

Because of the incredible marketing opportunities offered by the Internet, Brands who follow their lead, can be have an extremely productive experience with PCCs.

But of consumer counterfeiting and retailer misredemption, the greater evil, by far, is retailer misredemption.

To get a clearer picture as to how effectively BCN has positioned its technology to deter and identify fraudulent usage, we must look at the 2 distinct constituents involved:  Consumers (E-Couponers) and Retailers.

Consumers requesting coupons from BCN sites are driven to the checkout where they can proceed to print out coupons. No coupons appear onscreen so counterfeiting the offers is more involved.  If they chose to try to scan in and copy the offers and then cut and paste them and new barcodes, they can. But how many will go through this very tedious process for $.50 of $1?

The vast majority of consumers are not willing to risk a confrontation at the cash register over a few dollars. So the threat of consumer counterfeiting is no major threat.

But what about retailer misredemption?  This is an issue that can and does cost brands millions of dollars a year. IT is generally accepted that 1.8 % redemption is typical of most FSIs distributed. Of that, 25 % is deemed to be misredeemed. This represents big buck for the misredeemers and great risk for the brands.

BCN incorporates the UCC/EAN extended 128 barcode, utilizing the 8 digit Household identifiers. Each and every PCC from BCN has an indigenous identifier. This allows the coupon to be tracked from the retailer, through the redemption process. If someone has tried to adjust or eliminate the identifier, we can identify which retailer processed it.  And since no one has anything to gain from adjusting the identifier other than the retailer, it helps deter misusage.

And consider that BCN works with CPG brands on Pay-Per-Redemption basis, not on distribution.  Additionally BCN pays for any of the additional scanning costs incurred by redemption facilities to process the Household IDs, as well. So the brands are informed of coupons, which may have been misredeemed and exactly where they came from. Brand have never had this capability before. Ever!

BCN provides a unique approach affording brands protection against counterfeiting and misredemption while minimizing risk. So why pay for distribution and incur more risk of misredemption?

Is the consumer data shared with CPGs for customer acquisition strategies?

ABSOLUTELY. Our privacy policy addresses the desires of consumers for variety and the consumer information needs of brands. Quid pro quo.  The brands provide the variety. The consumers provide their demographic and psychographic information to be used solely by the brand.

In addition we provide:

• Demographic data

• Coupon selection.

• Category information

ALL FREE OF CHARGE

But our brand participants are expressly prohibited from re-selling this data. It is for their use and BCN's exclusively.

How does BCN pricing compare to a printed FSI?

BCN impressions are FREE, versus a traditional FSI where you must pay in advance for the printing and distribution of your offer.

With BCN, CPGs pay only for redeemed coupons, true pay-per-redemption (PPR^©). You only pay when a consumer actually prints out their coupon, purchases your product and redeems our coupon at the cash register.

Other coupon vendors online are on a pay-per-printout basis.

Online redemption runs about 15% versus the current 1.5% average redemption rate for FSIs. Redemptions range from 4% to 25% depending on category and strength of offer.

If coupon redemption averages 15% or more, can we (the Brand) remove our offer if we reach our target?

Absolutely! Brands are in total control of their offers and their storefront department with BCN.

If we segment markets, can we also change "cents-off" values of coupons for different markets?

Yes. A Brand can adjust their offers as they see fit so long as the offer is comparable to what is being offered through printed FSIs or direct mail. BCN's database is zip code driven.

Can we submit recipes as editorial and build links to our brand websites?

BCN makes available a MORE INFO tab for brands to provide links, introduce new products, sweepstakes, provide recipes.

The MORE INFO drop down in addition to banner ads onsite, provides a comprehensive way for brands to increase exposure and drive traffic.

How do brands set up an online department and begin to provide offers?

The first step is to contact BCN and sign up. Once you have signed up, you select a user id and a password to enter your proprietary department. 

A BCN customer rep will run you through the basics and provide you with our users manual, which takes you step by step through the process.

The process is by design, incredibly easy to use.

You submit your basic Brand information, legal description, bar code info, your artwork or graphics, start dates and expiration dates, etc. You design and maintain your own coupons on your own department.

To set up a new coupon offer takes an average of 3 minutes.

What about exclusivity?

The nature of one stop shopping is to allow consumers the ability to choose what they want from an assortment. With 9 savings channels, exclusivity is a possibility. Consult a BCN sales rep for more info.

What type of promotional tools are available on your sites?

• Coupon Offer Displays
• CRM surveys/ Rebates
• MORE INFO drop down banners
• Banner Ads
• Links
• Co-Branding platforms providing a proprietary online 
  approach for a Brand's Website

How does BCN distribute its content to its consumers?

BCN has launched its savings channels and is in the process of building critical mass. FundBuilder^©, appealing to supporters of churches, schools and charities, is a method to greatly impact distribution, quickly.

A variety of conventional advertising (TV and Print)  is to be used to complement a comprehensive online strategy.

Online partnering as well as strategic print partnering is underway.